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ProblemsByVinFile / 2018-CHEVROLET-MALIBUNHTSA data synced 8 hours ago
2018 · Chevrolet
Chevrolet Malibu problems
684 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 3 active recall campaigns on file.
Reliability score
6.2 / 10
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 Malibu?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Cruise-control: 68 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 44,000–72,721 mi
Brakes: 38 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 37,000–107,000 mi
Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2018 Malibu· powertrain
Taking my fianc to the airport so that he can report for duty and the vehicle abruptly comes to a speed of 20mph on the highway cause a vehicle behind me to come to a close contact with my car. Replaced sensor and pedal as instructed because I am fresh out of my warranty and a…
My car randomly displayed a message on the dashboard that said "engine power reduced" traction light and check engine light appeared and it brought my speed limit to around 20 while I was on a busy street. I turned the car off and got the power back but has done it 3 more time…
In may of 2020 I took my vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership in woodbridge,va for a ECM recall on my vehicle. After waiting for them to do the recall they stated nothing was wrong with my vehicle. From october to current my vehicle has been doing everything that was stated in the…
Faulty accelerator position sensor. Part is suppose to last the life of the car. The car has 60000 miles on it. It throws the check engine light and reduces power to the vehicle at highway speeds. This is very dangerous as you cant accelerate to get out of traffic or to get…
Had a problem with your 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
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Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles
In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1
Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192221960.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 684 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Cruise-control: 68 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 44,000–72,721 mi; Brakes: 38 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 37,000–107,000 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 159 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 46,669 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 46,669 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Malibu has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 684 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 8 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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